History of Old Rappahannock County 1656-1692 by Thomas Hoskins Warner, P 161
There is a large branch that flows into Piscataway from the southeast. It was by many considered to be Piscataway. It took a ruling of the Court to fix the name Piscataway as that of the west branch. The other large branch became known as the SE branch of Piscataway or Kings Swamp. On this swamp have been 5 water grist mills most of which were built before 1692. The south swamp was also called Green Swamp, Beebys Swamp, Webbs Mill Swamp, Covingtons Mill Swamp, Dunns Mills Swamp and now Essex Mill Swamp. Landowners on or near this swamp were James Webb, Henry Smith, John Jones, Henry Williamson and others.

Wills of Rappahannock County Virginia 1656-1692Will of Richard Simms----Written Jan. 22, 1672/3----Proved May 2, 1677.
To John Penn should I die without wife or issue all my reall and personall Estate that is goods and chattels as well moveables as unmoveables to his heirs and assigns forever.
Executor: John Penn
Wit: Henry Williamson aged about 34 years.Wit: Thomas Harware aged about 34 years.

Rappahannock County Virginia Record Bk 1656-1664, P 256Richard and Eliza Loes and Margaret Jones to George Marsh
Power of Attorney to acknowledge sale of 700 acres where courthouse stands to Richard Webley.

Rappahannock County Virginia Record Bk 1656-1664, P 272-----1662----1662Richard Loes to Thomas Griffith
Power of Attorney to acknowledge in Court mortgage of land, etc. Feb. 15, 1662 to George Marsh.

Rappahannock County Virginia Record Bk 1668-72, P 393----1670----1670.Emme Loes to Thomas Jones
Power of Attorney to collect debts due grantor or her husband Richard Loes.

Notes: It is not clear whether Eliza, wife of Richard Loes in 1662 was the same person as
Emme Loes in 1670. When he made his Will in 1675, he had no wife.

Wills of Rappahannock County Virginia 1656-1692Rappahannock County Virginia Will BkWill of Richard Loes----Written April 22, 1675----Proved July 7, 1675.
Sick in body but of sound and perfect memory.
To my son-in-law James Tacket all the Estate I have in Maryland both tobacco good debts and otherwise and whereas I did ship home for lime (Lyme) 50 bhds of tobacco out of Maryland and consigned them unto Walter Tucker merchant in Lime (Lyme). I also give and bequeath unto my son-in-law James Tacket the 1/2 part of all the stock of cattle horses and mares that I am now possessed with and two Christian servants for the full time they have to serve at their coming into this country to be delivered him the next shipping, one fowling gun one pot two pewter dishes and two basons and all the pewter which was his mothers deceased. I also ordaine that my said son James Tacket and servants have ground to work on and house room to cure their crops and for their accomodation on the plantation whereon I now live for and during the space or time of four yeares next ensuing after my death and to have free privilege to grind his corne at my mill toll free during his life or the time of his abode in this river.

I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law Mr. Henry Williamson all my lands lying in Nimcock in Rappahannock River which I formerly purchased of Richard Bennett and Henry Corbin Esqr. unto him the said Williamson and his heirs forever. I give and bequeath unto my said son-in-law Mr. Henry Williamson all the rest of my personall estate both Negroes, Indians, Mullatoes, horses, mares cattle moneys and all other estate of what nature or kind soever herein this country or elsewhere unto him the said Williamson and his heirs forever.

And I do hereby ordain and appoint my said son-in-law Mr. Henry Williamson my sole and absolute Executor of this my last Will and Testament willing to pay all my debts and legacies above mentioned.
Wit: Mary x Hodges, Richard Grimsted, age 28 or thereabouts.
Edward Thomas aged 32 years or thereabouts.

Virginia Historical MagazineTithables of Lancaster County VirginiaRichard Loes was J.P. for Lancaster 1652-56 and on Dec. 11, 1656 was appointed a justice and captain of militia in the new county of Rappahannock.

Notes: In his will dated April 2nd and proved in Rappahannock July 7, 1675 Richard Loes makes bequests to his son-in law (step-son?) James Tacket of all his Estate in Maryland and 50 hogsheads of tobacco the testaor had recently shipped out to Maryland to Walter Tucker, merchant, also gives him half his stocks of horses, cattle, etc., two slaves, a gun, etc. and all the pewter that was his deceased mothers.
To son-in-law Mr. Henry Williamson all of his lands on Rappahannock and the rest of her personal estate.

Based upon the bequest in the Will which stated all the pewter which was his mothers deceased, James Tacket does seem to be the son of the wife of Richard Loes by a previous marriage to ____ Tacket. No such mention is made in regard to Henry Williamson who is left all the Virginia land and all the rest of his personal estate. Thus Henry Williamson does seem to have been a son-in-law and not a step-son of Richard Loes.

The 1653 record says that Toby Smith and Richard Loes gave a heifer to Henry Williamson, son in-law of Richard Loes. In 1653 Henry Williamson was 17 years of age. The relationship to Toby Smith is unknown. Henry Williamson was married to Catherine Weekes by 1679.

Rappahannock County Virginia Record Bk 1695-99, P 31----Sept. 21, 1696Henry Williamson to William Young Jr.
Young produced certificate from Henry Williamson to take Henry Parrott a slave to Middlesex County.

WILL OF HENRY WILLIAMSON

Essex County Virginia Deed and Will Bk 10, P 11.
In the name of God Amen I Henry Williamson of the County of Essex in the Colony of Virginia Gent. Being sick and weak of body but in perfect sense and memory praised be to Almighty God for our savior and renouncing all and singular any former Will and Testament make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following viz:

Impremis I bequeath my soul to God my Creator assured by _______ that I shall receive full pardon and remission of all my sins and be saved by the precious death and merits of my blessed Savior and Redeemer Christ Jesus and my body to the earth to be buried in just and decent manner as to my Executors and feeofees in trust hereafter named shall think meet and convenient and all that worldly Estate as the Lord in his mercy hath lent me after my just debts be fully satisfied and paid, my will and my desire as of same shall be employed and followed as hereafter by this my Will is ________.

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth 10 negroes viz named Soppia, Harris, Tom, Betty of older, Gooncie her daughter, Kats, Coton, Mingo, Franck and Sarah of younger and their increase to her and her heirs forever.

I also give and bequeath unto my said daughter Elizabeth all that plantation and divident of land whereon I now live which said land was bequeathed unto me by the last Will and Testament of Capt. Richard Loes late of said County of Essex deceased with all of houses, orchards, houses and appurtenances therunto belonging unto her my said daughter and of heirs lawfully begotten of her body forever.

Also I give and bequeath unto my said daughter Elizabeth all that plantation and divident of land where my Mill and Pond of 420 acres with said appurtenances _______of entry of about 100 acres of waste land adjoining to of said 420 surveyed acres with said waste land I have entered without Edwin Thornton unto her my said daughter and the heirs lawfully begotten of her body forever but in case my said daughter should die without heiors lawfully begotten as ______ then I give and bequeath my said plantation and divident of land with all appurtenances unto my other two daughters Katherine and Frances surviving to be equally divided between them and their heirs forever.

I also give and bequeath unto my said daughter Elizabeth one third part of all my stock of cattle, horses, mares, sheep, hoggs, and one third part of all other my estate not here mentioned or bequeathed unto her and her heirs forever.

Item I give unto my daughter Katherine and bequeath unto her 10 negroes by name, Martin, Dick, Tom of younger, Graw, Ann and her son Ogany, Hanniball, Kaha and Lettice and Charles and their increase to her and her heirs forever.

I also give unto my daughter Katherine half that plantation and tract of land of 700 acres lying and being in Middlesex County it being a Patent granted to Mr. Abraham Weekes, of ______ _______
land being by him and Millicent his wife conveyed to me by Deed of gift bearing date of 30th day of June 1688 and other half I purchased of Mr. Francis Weekes with all houses, orchards, houses and other the appurtenances thereunto belonging.

I do give unto my daughter Katherine of halfe of said land to be equally divided and layd out for my daughter and the heirs lawfully begotten of her body for ever but in case my said daughter should die without heirs lawfully begotten as aforesaid then I give and bequeath my said plantation and her part of said divident of land with all apurtenaces unto my other two daughters surviving Eliza and Frances to be equally divided between them and their heirs forever.

I give and bequeath unto my said daughter Katherine one third part of all my stock of horses, mares, cattle, sheep, hoggs and one third part of all other my Estate not herein mentioned or bequeathed unto her and her heirs forever.

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Frances 10 negroes my name Jack, Isaac, Mary and her daughter Winnie, Jane, Jod and Betty, James and Phillip and Peggie with all their increase unto her my said daughter Frances and her heirs forever.

I also give and bequeath unto my said daughter Frances that plantation land I bought of Mr. Francis Weekes lying and being in ye County of Middlesex with all houses, orchards, home and other appurtenances (being of one moiety of a divident land formerly granted to Mr. Abraham Weekes.).

I do give unto my daughter Frances and the heirs lawfully begotten of her body forever, but in case my said daughter should die without heirs lawfully begotten as aforesaid then I give my said plantation and land with all appurtenances unto my other two daughters surviving Elizabeth and Katherine to be equally divided between them and their heirs forever.

I likewise give and bequeath unto my said daughter Frances one third part of all my stock of horses, mares, cattle, sheep, hoggs and one third part of all other my Estate not herein mentioned or bequeathed unto her and her heirs forever.

Item my will and desire is my Indian woman named Frances being a native borne in this country and her mother also may be free if the law will ______ ________ without transportation if not the ______ with the ______ rest of my estae to be divided among my children.

Item I give and bequeath unto my friends Mr. Edward Thomas, Mr. ______ Montoesse?, and Mrs. Elizabeth Hill and Danl Dobyns each of them a ring of 30 shillings price.

I give and bequeath all other my estate not herein mentioned or bequeathed of what nature or kind so ever unto my three daughters above mentioned and that the same be inventoried and put on record and equally divided between them and that they live together at my now dwelling house and their negroes to be kept together upon my two plantations and their crops of tobacco annually sent for England and said produce to remain there until they shall arrive each of them respectively to full age by law or marriage only such part as they shall _______ for clothing and other expenses but in case my younger daughters should grow stubborn and not comformable to their older sister and _____, then I shall leave it by decision of my feofees in trust to put them out to such labor as they shall think fit and convenient for their _____ education.

Lastly I do nominate ordain and appoint my three daughters Elizabeth, Katherine and Frances to be my sold and absolute executors of this my last Will and Testament and the Honorable Col. Richard Loo? Esq. , Capt. Edward Thomas Saml Peachey and Danl Dobyns my feofees in trust willing and define each of them to pay all my just debts and legacies above mentioned _____ this my Will ______ _______ I do ______ _______ as my last Will and Testament.

Witness my hand and seal of 30 of March 1699.

Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of
Leo. Hill
the marke of Henry N Nickson
Danl Dobyns
the mark of Ann x Whitehorne

Also is my desire that Ellinor Davis said relict of Tho Davis have her dwelling on my back plantation whee there now is if remain as widow, this done before signing and sealing.

Proved in Essex County Court 11th day of September 1699 by oaths of Danl Dobyns and Leo. Hill and recorded.

Know all men by these presents that we Tho. Meriwether and Eliz his wife and Danl Whitehorne and Fra. Meriweether of said County of Essex.

Notes: The Will of Henry Williamson seems to suggest the possibility that Elizabeth Williamson was the daughter of Henry Williamsonson and the daughter of Richard Loes.

Elizabeth Williamson is given the land that Henry Williamson inherited from Richard Loes.
Katherine and Frances receive the land inherited from Abraham Weekes, father of the second wife of Henry Williamson.

Elizabeth is clearly older than the other two daughters and apparently several years older.
Apparently none of the daughters were married when Henry Williamson wrote his will in March of 1699. Elizabeth for certain was married when the will was proved.

In the somewhat odd last paragraph of the Will he says:
in case my younger daughters should grow stubborn and not comformable to their older sister and _____, then I shall leave it by decision of my feofees in trust to put them out to such labor as they shall think fit and convenient for their _____ education.

This sentence seems to indicate that these 2 younger sisters were somewhat subject to their older sister. Thus Elizabeth may have been born before circa 1678.

CHILDREN OF HENRY WILLIAMSON

ELIZABETH WILLIAMSON

William and Mary QuarterlyArmistead Family
John Armistead married first, Elizabeth (?Gill), mentioned as sister Elizabeth Armisread in the will of James Burwell and second, Susanna, daughter of Thomas Meriwether of Essex who made his will in 1708 when Susanna was not then baptized.

The will of Thomas Meriwether, son of Nicholas Meriwether, of Surry, the immigrant, names brother Francis of Essex: Nicholas of New Kent; sister Jane Brown, wife of William Brown of Surry; wife Susannah; nephew William Meriwether, son of brother Nicholas, to have his land in Surry; nephews William, David and Francis, sons of brother Nicholas; Rallph Shelton; land to child unbaptized; Nicholas and Francis Meriwether executors. Dated Jan. 7, 1708 , proved Feb. 10, 1708-09.

Thomas Meriwether was one of the feoffees of Tappahannock. He married twice.

Henry Williamson, Gent bequeathed lands in 1699 given to him by Captain Richarrd Loes and
Mr. Abraham Weeks and Millicent his wife of Rappahannock to his 3 daughters, Elizabeth, Katherine and Frances. Aterwards in 1707 William Young of Essex and Katharine his wife, one of the daughters, confirmed to Thomas Meriwether half of the lands devised by William(??) unto his daughter Elizabeth Meriwether, deceased and in case of his death to said Katherine Young and Frances Bird, his other daughters. (Essex Records).

Notes: Henry Williamson made his 3 daughters executors of his Will. On Sept. 11, 1699 when the will of Henry Williamson was proved, Thomas Meriwether and wife Elizabeth signed.

Essex Cxounty Virginia Deed Bk, P 458Lease and Release----Feb. 20 and 21, 1715/16.
William Younng of Southfarnham Parish in the County of Essex Gent and Katherine his wife and Robert Ransone of St. Stephens Parish in the County of King and Queen Gent and Ffrancis his wife to Peter Richeson of Abington Parish in the County of Gloucesster Gent.

A plantation and appurtenances of 306 acres in South Farnham parish.

The aforesaid William Young and Katherine his wife and Robert Ransone and Ffrances his wife in right of them the said Katherine and Frances are seized in fee of this 306 acres adjoining the Dragon Swamp at the lower end of Essex County

Which was formerly the land of Edward Thomas late of Essex County and known as
Thomas Quarter which land the said Edward Thomas by his Will proved Nov. 10, 1699 was given to Elizabeth Merewether and which at her death descended to them.
Wit: John Evans, William Smith, William x Hudson

Adventurers of Purse and Person, P 252
Thomas Montague married Katherine, daughter of Henry Williamson and widow of William Young. The will of Thomas Montague Feb. 7, 1720 to May 16, 1721 Essex County, named wife, son-in-law (step-son) William Young and daughter-in-law (step-daughter) Elizabeth Young, bequeaths all that parcel of land called Montagues Island to cozen (nephew) William Montague, son of my brother William Montague and leaves to Thomas Paine of Middlesex County, 150 acres out of upper side of my land lying in Essex County.

Tylers Quarterly MagazineGovernor J. Hoge Tylers Family
Richard Tyler Jr., born probably about 1685, died 1761, married about 1722 Catharine daughter of Henry Williamson and his second wife Catherine Weeks. Catherine Weeks was the daughter of Abraham Weeks.

Catharine Williamson was bequeathed by her father in his will land in Middlesex that had been given him in 1688 by his father-in-law Abraham Weeks. Catharine was also a devisee of Capt. Edward Thomas ( 1643-1699) who left her land in Essex County and made her and her sister, Frances, executors of his will, though no relationship is mentioned (Essex County Deed and Will Bk 10, P 21).

Catharine married before 1702 Capt. William Young, son of William Young (died 1698 Essex County Deed and Will Bk 9, P 139.)

Capt. William Young died 1719 (Essex County Will Bk 3, P 87) leaving his widow with seven children, William, Elizabeth, Henry ( died 1750), Mary, Catharine, John (died 1749) and Williamson (died 1750) who was born after his fathers will was made.

Capt. William Youngs sister Ann married by 1697 Richard Covington, son of William Covington (Deed and Will Bk 9, P 106) which explains the frequency with which we find Covingtons, Youngs and Tylers witnessing papers and going on bonds for each other.

Catherine did not long remain a widow but soon married Thomas Montague, son of William Montague. Thomas Montague died in 1721 (Will Bk 3, P 255) and being still interested in matrimony, she took for her third husband Richard Tyler. By him she had one child, Frankey.

The exact date of Catharines death is unknown but it was probably about 1751. Richard Tyler married (2) Ann , who survived him less than a month. There were no children by this marriage.

FRANCES WILLIAMSON

Hoskins of Virginia and Related Families by Charles Willard Hoskins Warner, 1971
Robert Bird III (1681-1714) always closely associated with his brother, was as stated, captain of the King and Queen Militia. He was a member of the county court where he was high sheriff in 1704.

He married about 1702 Frances Williamson, one of the three daughters of Henry Williamson, Gent. of Essex County. The other daughters, Elizabeth, married Thomas Meriwether of Essex and Katherine married William Young of Essex County. This Robert Bird III was dead by 1714 as his widow Frances married second Robert Ransome and third John Bryant, both of St. Stephens Parish, King and Queen County.